Illegal animal events keep police busy

Tuesday

Apr 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Record

San Joaquin County sheriff's deputies were kept busy Sunday afternoon rounding up roosters and other farm animals at illegal events that drew hundreds of spectators to different areas of the county. No arrests were made in either incident, but investigations are continuing and charges could be filed in at least one of the cases by the District Attorney's Office.

About 3:50 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the 5000 block of East Mariposa Road southeast of Stockton for an illegal cockfight. Upon arrival, they contacted the property owners, who admitted "to fighting the roosters for fun and invited people over to watch," according to a report.

Deputies discovered 500 roosters, including one still in the cockfighting ring and eight of which were dead. They also reported finding cockfighting gloves, game bird conditioner and antibiotics.

Shortly after 4 p.m. in the 900 block of West Bowman Road in French Camp, deputies responded to an illegal rodeo that had attracted about 2,000 spectators on a 19-acre ranch. No permit had been issued for the event, which included bull riding and a prize horse competition.

The property owner reportedly told deputies he was holding the event to support a mission church in Mexico. The event was shut down.